Thomas Rongen, who coached the USA at three Under-20 World Cups but failed to qualify it for the 2011 tournament, won't be returning as under-20 national team coach.

"U.S. Soccer will not be renewing Thomas Rongen's contract when it expires at the end of the year," U.S. Soccer spokesperson Neil Buethe said. "Tab Ramos will be coaching the U-20 team in France later this month. Tab is very familiar with U.S. soccer and the U-20 program."

Has this cat used up his 9 nine lives yet? Why in the world was he coaching this team anyway?? This guy keeps getting hired despite his unimpressive record. His only championship was with Bruce Arena's DC United team. Then it took him only about a year to get fired. He took over a very talented U20 team in 2002, got fired ... then went to Chivas where he was laughed out after about a month, then somehow gets hired again by the U20's can't pick team good enough to qualify. Enough already.

Gak Foodsource

commented on: May 5, 2011 at 10:33 p.m.

Point number 1 from the newly unveiled USSF coaching manual a month ago: "development over winning.". Reason Thomas Rongen gets fired after 9 futile years of player development: he didn't win. Even when we are right (firing Rongen) we are wrong ( the 2011 Youth WC means nothing if we haven't a single player to show for it.). At least we can take solace that the second biggest detriment to US youth development has been canned. 9 years and Rongen couldn't name a single player he produced of merit. Not one. Shocking.